Apr. 7, 2008 – February semiconductor sales were about 5% below expectations but the full picture for 1Q08 seems to still be within the seasonal range of normalcy, according to new data from analyst firm Gartner.

Worldwide semiconductor sales were $18.7B in February, about $1B (~5%) below the firm’s expectations, and the firm is now tracking 1Q08 sales (via WSTS figures) to be ~$62B, about a -7% decline from 4Q07, notes analyst Richard Gordon, in a new report. But a year ago, he points out, 1Q07 sales were down about 6% sequentially vs. 4Q06.

So, he writes, unless March sales turn out to be “much weaker than expected,” the decline in sales in early 2008 “is likely to be within the normal range and should not be a cause for major alarm” — despite worries about a weakening US economy and any global macroeconomic impact.